The Busy Girl's Guide to MEAL PREP

Frantically packing meals for the day ahead is a sure-fire way to stress you out! Batch-cooking or meal prepping ensures there’s always a nutritious option to hand. Here’s how to master it

- Lucy Miller

As the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail, but 'meal prepping' isn't a faddy trend - it's long been a popular way for those wanting to simplify and prepare healthy, balanced meals on a budget and to a busy schedule.

Sure, planning and cooking your meals for the week ahead can sound pretty daunting, but the benefits are off-the-scale. Imagine opening your fridge after a long day and seeing an array of neatly packed containers filled with macro-friendly deliciousness just waiting to be devoured.

There's no need for a takeaway, no need for any chopping, and no need to decide what you're going to eat - it's all there waiting for you.

Sound good? Here, our experts share their top tips on how to plan your meals and organise your food and kitchen, so you not only reach your goals but also transform food prep chaos into culinary bliss.

PLAN AND CALCULATE

'I'm a very organised person, and I know from experience that when you set out new nutrition and fitness goals, one of the best ways to stick to and achieve them is to write everything down and have a plan. When planning, think about your specific training goal and how a healthy food plan. could support it. You then need to plan how many breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners you'll need throughout the week, which, technically, if you want enough for the working week, is 15 meals. This doesn't mean you need to cook 15 separate dishes, though. Instead, prepare a few large batches of breakfast, lunch and dinner that can be used in various ways throughout the week to fuel your body and help maximise your fitness potential.'

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic champion and Sleepeezee brand ambassador (sleepeezee.com)

CHOP AHEAD OF TIME